Pipe-coupling.



No. 689,455. Patented Dec. 24, l90l.

J. n. BICKFOBD.

PIPE COUPLING.

(Application filed Jan. 28, 1901.)

( No Model.)

*lllihqesses: v I R UNITED STATES PATENT ()FEICE.

- JOHN H. B'IOKFORD, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

PIPE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,455 5, datedDecember 24, 1901.

Application filed January 28, 1901. Serial No. 45,115. (No model.)

To whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. BICKFORD, of Salem, in the county of Essexand State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inPipe-Couplings, of which the following description, in connect-ion withthe acsteam plants like electric-lighting and electric-railway stationsand alsoin some mills the tendency has been from time to time to raisethe initial steam-pressure per square inch until it has becomeexcessive. In so doing it has been found that the usual method of makingup the carrying-pipesviz., putting the sections together with threadedcou plings or flangesis ineffectual, and leaks occur even in thebest-prepared work.

In cases where threaded joints have been used it has been necessary toincrease the thickness of the pipes very materiallyin many cases onehundred per cent.in order to get the required size and taper of thread.This extra thickness of pipe is not necessary to insure the safecarrying of the steam, but solely to provide sufficient metal to cut aproper thread. Under such circumstances the cost of the work isexcessive on account of the extra cost of the pipe.

I am aware that attempts have been made to use flanges without threadsby casting them upon the pipes, welding them upon the pipes, rolling thepipes into grooves on the interior of the flanges, 650.; but, like the'threaded joint on extra-thick pipe, the cost is excessive. I am alsoaware that means have been provided around the pipes and in the rear ofthe flanges for the purpose of stopping leaks between the flanges andthe exterior surface of the pipes; but in all instances known to me thecost is excessive, especially on pipes of large diameter; also, in mostinstances snch means were designed to be placed upon the pipes aftertheir erection and in case leaks appeared after being in service for awhile. i

The object of my invention is to construct a joint which can be used, ifdesired, with pipes of standard thicknesses and the flanges so placedupon the pipes that threads will be dispensed with, yet an absolutelytight and substantial joint formed, and the whole to be moderate in costas compared with the present work. I

A further object of my invention is to provide means for stopping a leakshould one occur after the pipes have been in service without it beingnecessary to open the joint or incur any additional expense.

The drawing shows a longitudinal section and partial elevation of apipe-coupling embodying this invention.

In carrying out my invention I first dress the outer surface of the endsof the wroughtmetal pipes at to a uniform diameter as far as desired. Aring I), which is preferably of wrought-iron or steel, is then turned toa uniform diameter on its inside, such diameter being slightly smallerthan the finished diameter of the pipe. It is then heated,expandingslightly, and while heated is pressed or forced upon the pipeto the position shown in the drawing, where it cools and shrinks tightlyupon the pipe, remaining there permanently. In practice I have foundthat this ring may be pressed onto the pipe cold and serve the samepurpose, although in such case it (the ring) must be of largercross-section to avoid breaking. Therefore it is preferable to shrink iton, as described. After the ring I) has been fixed to the pipe a ductilemetal ring 0, made to roughly fit the pipe, is slipped over the end ofthe pipe and up against the ring I). This ring is preferably made ofcopper, or it may be soft iron or any other ductile metal that iscapable of being compressed into any desired shape or calked. A flange(1, preferably of cast metal, like iron or steel, or it may be wroughtmetal pressed into the desired shape, after having been turned ontheinside toauniform diameter, which diameter is a little less than thatof the pipe, is preferably pressed upon the pipe by hydraulic or otherpressure, or it may be heated, expanded slightly, and then forced uponthe pipe and allowed to shrink in place. This flange d is forced uponthe pipe until it stops against the ductile metal ring 0. The back sideof the flange dis or may be beveled inwardly or undercut.

The ring 0 is not depended upon to form a steam-tight joint between theflange (l and pipe at when it is first put on; but it forms the means ofstopping a leak temporarily by calking it under the bevel on the back ofthe flange d and against the face of the ring I) should such a leakoccur after the pipe is in service. I am aware that rings have beenplaced upon pipes back of flanges to serve as a packing, but not in themanner and for the purpose I have shown and described.

In the abutting face of the flange (land next to the outer surface ofthe pipe an an- I nnlar groove or recess is cut, into which is fittedaductile metal ring 6, said ring protruding slightly beyond the face ofthe flange when first put in place, andiitsinner diameter is such a tofit upon the pipe (I.

In forcing the flange (Z upon the pipe a the latter protrudes from theface of the flange a short distance. The end of the pipe a is thenupset, and the annular flangef, formed by upsetting, is forced-into theannular groove or recessin the flange (l and against the ring e,compressing the latter against the walls of the said annular groove.Thering e, or that portion of it projecting beyond the face of theflange d, is then calketl against the combined surfaces of the flange dand the flange f, formed on the pipe a, until a steam-tightjoint isproduced. The assembled parts are then put in alatlie and tu rned toatrue face, against which a metal gasket 9 rests.

The flanges d d are held together with bolts placed in the holes h.Aspace t' is left between the flanges dd, so that the metal gasket gwill be firmly impinged, which, as it will be seen, covers the exposedends of the ductile metal rings 6 of both parts. It will therefore beseen that the gasketg and ring 6 serve as primary or permanent means ofmaking the joint between the flange dand the outer surface of the pipesteam-tight, While the ring 0, calked in place at the time a leakoccurs, serves as a. temporary means for stopping the leak or until thejoint can be uncoupled and the ring e recalked, which can be doneefiectually and inexpensively.

Ordinarily the steam-pipes are covered with asbestos or othernon-conducting material, which if carried close up to the back side offlange at will prevent the introduction of a tool to calk the ring 0;but herein it will be seen that said ring 0 is at all times accessiblefor the purpose of being calked.

I claim 1. In a pipe-coupling, the cotnbiuation of a pipe (1 and flanged fixed thereon having an annular recess in its abutting face adjacentthe pipe, a ductile metal ring e'contained in said recess, and a flangefou the end of the pipe at upset into said annular recess, and a gasket9 covering the exposed end of said ring 6, substantially as described.

2. In a pipe-coupling, the combination of the pipe a, ring (9 fixedthereon, flange d also fixed thereon, and a ductile metal ring 0 calkedin place between said fixed ring and flange, substantially as described.

3. In a pipe-coupling, the combination of the pipe 0!, and flange dfixed thereon having an annular recess in its abutting face adjacen tthe pipe, a'dnctile metal ring 6 contained in said recess, a flange f onthe end of the pipe at upset into said annular recess and therebyimpinged upon said ring e, the ring 1) also fixed on the pipe and aductile metal ring 0 disposed between said fixed ring and flange,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. BICKFORD.

\Vitnesses:

' B. J. NOYES,

JOHN W. DECROW.

